For someone who was told it would be impossible to have a child, my mom did a pretty good job. I guess you could call me a "miracle baby," but most people like to focus on the fact that I'm an only child. As soon as someone finds out I have no brothers or sisters, the questions start flying.
What is it like? Are you lonely? Did you have a lot of imaginary friends as a kid? Do you have any freedom? Do you like being the center of attention? Do you wish you had siblings? Would you ever have just one child?
What is it like?
Well, I don't know anything different. I have never had any siblings, so I don't know what that is like. I was close to my cousins growing up, and always spent time with friends. But at the end of the day, it was just me, my mom, and my dad. Most of my friends had siblings, so I lived vicariously through them. Their siblings sort of became my siblings.
Are you lonely?
I've had enough family and family-friends in my life, so not having any siblings has never bothered me. I've always liked having alone time, but maybe that's just because I'm an only-child. Who knows?
Before I started school, my mom and dad were more than parents; they were practically my siblings, too. As a young girl, I always played baseball in the yard with my dad (don't worry, the ball and bat were plastic). My mom was a stay-at-home-mom from the year I was born until I went away to college, so even when I wasn't with friends, I wasn't alone.
Did you have a lot of imaginary friends as a kid?
No, just one. Pete. I think most kids have at least one imaginary friend at some point in their early life. It's not a bad thing. Studies have been done to prove that it shows imagination, not loneliness.
Do you have any freedom?
Not really. Now that I'm in college, it has obviously changed. But growing up, my parents didn't have any other children to worry about — just me. Think of that helicopter parent who interrogates their child for 20 minutes before letting them out of the house. That explains most of my life. But honestly, it wasn't as bad as I make it out to be. I knew, and still know, that they truly cared about me, so I can't complain.
Do you like being the center of attention?
It's the same idea as having freedom. It's a love-hate kind of thing.
The stereotypical belief is that only-children are spoiled. Maybe some are, but I would consider myself fortunate, not spoiled. Sure, I grew up with a lot of toys. I had a lot of brand new clothes, but I had hand-me-downs too, from cousins and friends instead of siblings.
Do you wish you had siblings?
For the first 18 years of my life, I had my own bedroom and bathroom. I'm living in our condo and working at the beach this summer. I'm going to a school that would be out of our price range if my parents had more than one college tuition to pay. So, no. I don't really wish I had siblings.
Would you ever have just one child?
Definitely. I have no clue what my future holds, but I don't consider having just one child as something negative. It's simply different. There are pros and cons, just like anything else. It amazes me how people react to it, as if it were a curse. They almost seem sympathetic, but they are completely wrong. I love the way I have grown up, and the relationship I have with my parents.
There are so many people in my life that make up for the fact that I have no brothers or sisters. And from what I've seen over the past few years, when you grow older, sometimes siblings can be your worst enemy. But I'll never know, and I am completely okay with that.
